Lead-content warning in Whitehall confuses motorists

A number of homes are adjacent to the bridge-construction site where this… (DAN HARTZELL, THE MORNING…)

January 13, 2013|Dan Hartzell | The Road Warrior

Q: I am wondering if you have looked into the signs that have been posted about not breathing or disturbing the dust around the construction area of the Hokendauqua-North Catasauqua Bridge in Whitehall Township. What exactly is going to come off that bridge that is so toxic? Also, are they shutting down the Ironton Rail Trail at the bridge? I use the trail frequently for jogging or biking, but I think I'll be avoiding it now, as I wouldn't want to be inhaling anything toxic while I'm exercising!

— Chris Reber, Northampton

A: I wasn't aware of the signs until your question pulled into my email garage, Chris, and I was confused when I read the message they convey.

The actual phrasing is, "Warning: Hazard / Lead work area / No smoking, eating or drinking."

I'm not surprised you got the notion that the construction project could be kicking up a trailer-load of lead dust that might contaminate the air, because the potential for lead contamination during demolition or repainting projects is a common concern. The superstructure of the Hill-to-Hill Bridge in Bethlehem was enveloped in a plastic cocoon when it was sandblasted for repainting in 2009, and workers within the enclosure took such care that they appeared to be wearing moon suits.

The sign in the photo is at the work site on the west side of the Hockey Bridge (as we used to call it), at the north end of Water Street, near the point where a portion of the bridge crosses overhead. Just to the west of the sign when I visited, a hydraulic excavator was destroying a brick building there to make way for the new bridge. With a heavy dust cloud hovering over the demolition site, I wondered whether I was taking liberal doses of lead particles into my lungs.

The workers on the site wore the usual hard hats, but no respirators or even cloths over their noses, so they didn't seem to be worried. That was reassuring, but I was happy to depart, just in case, and wondered about residents of the nearby homes on Water Street.

Mike and Donna Bednar, whose beautiful 1812 home is closest of all, said they weren't concerned. The dust cloud from the demolition of the one-time Brick Tavern, a 155-year-old building more recently used for apartments, consisted mostly of plaster and slate dust, Donna Bednar said. Her husband said the sign likely relates to lead paint that might be present on the bridge to be demolished.

Mack McKenna, project manager for chief contractor HRI Inc. of State College, Centre County, declined to discuss the sign, and a contact person he referred me to did not return a phone call or email Friday.

The project is being overseen by bridge owner Lehigh County, and General Services Director Glenn Solt said Wednesday the sign results from what he considers "overkill" regulations for the posting of public warnings. Solt wasn't immediately familiar with the specific regulation, and said he'd get back to me with more information, but hadn't done so by Friday.

PennDOT spokesman Ron Young initially said it's likely that lead is or could be present on the bridge, probably in paint on the support beams. "The sign is probably to warn people so they do not inhale or ingest potential lead particles that may be suspended in the air," he wrote in an email. "I believe this is common practice when working in and around lead containments." (Note that breathing lead dust steered its way into Young's mind too, Chris, even though the sign doesn't mention breathing or air.)

After checking into it further, Young had an update: "Our person said the sign is for the safety of the employees working on the project (contractor and subcontractor employees). The steel beams will be removed and disposed of accordingly, and there is the possibility the beams may have lead-based paint."

But if it's merely for employees, I wondered, why is it necessary to post signs on the road visible to the general public? How could it be safe to breathe in this area, but dangerous to eat or drink? Could chips of lead paint fall onto a worker's sandwich or drink but be too large to inhale?

And I wondered how smoking was related. It's not exactly a revelation that smoking is bad for your health, but how did that get trailer-hitched to this public warning?

My fears were allayed by Allentown Health Bureau Director Vicki Kistler, who assured that the Bednars and other nearby residents, or motorists, need not be alarmed.

As Young suggested, the signs are meant chiefly as a reminder for workers frequenting the site, Kistler said. Lead chips or particles that might be present could be cast into the air during demolition, and though lead is common in the environment, demolition workers should be extra careful because their possible exposure time is far greater than that of the average citizen. As I'd imagined, the particles could land on food or drink — or a cigarette — and be ingested that way.